Late style cam blanks available

[SilverXJ]

Melling released an aftermarket stock grind cam for the 99+ cam style about a year ago. This is the style that uses a retaining plate to hold the cam in the block instead of the pin style (which we believe caused several of us problems). I figured that someone must be making a blank for it since Melling doesn't make their own blanks (they may not even grind their own cams). I decided to look around and see if any grinders would be able to get a cam blank and grind a cam based on that. I talked to Isky, Crane, and a few others. They said they either don't grind cams for the 4.0L or they couldn't get the specific blank. They weren't too interested in trying either. I then talked to Jones Cam (http://www.jonescams.com) and after a few calls back they have found the blank and make a cam from it. The only draw back is that you have to use the stock style silent link timing set or combine a Jeep and Ford 351C (C or W?) Cloyes adjustable roller and modify the Ford timing gear.

Also, in speaking with Crane they indicated that they have plans for a billet roller cam for this engine, but not until next year.

[shawnxj]

sweet at the rate i'm going i might actually have the motor done about the time they make the roller cam

[SilverXJ]

Since they can get the late style cam I wonder if they could get the earlier style with the wider lobes.

[Retlaw01XJ]

Isn't the Melling replacement cam the wide-lobe? Remember seeing a pic somewhere. Became avail in 2009:
http://www.melling.com/News/News/tabid/ ... L-OHV.aspx

CWC/Textron makes most of the cam cores in North America.

[IH 392]

I can't vouch for the existence of the "MC 1377" cam, but I have no reason to believe that it doesn't?, the existence of the "MC 1376" is FACT!, I got mine from YO' Reilly's. (they DO show the MC 1377 as "Available") one would assume that the blanks for either could be obtained?

[shawnxj]

wonder if they can remachine the face of the cam for use in the newer blocks with the cam retaining bracket instead of the pin and spring

[SilverXJ]

That is the one we are talking about, the one with the retaining plate. The blank is available for it, no need to remachine anything. The older cam can't be remachined as there is not enough material

[Cheromaniac]

I can't vouch for the existence of the "MC 1377" cam, but I have no reason to believe that it doesn't?, the existence of the "MC 1376" is FACT!, I got mine from YO' Reilly's. (they DO show the MC 1377 as "Available") one would assume that the blanks for either could be obtained?

MC1376 is for '96-'99 models that have the recessed bolt/pin/spring set up while the MC1377 is for '99-'06 models with the thrust plate bolted to the block. Both are stock replacements and have the same profile with the following specs:

0.050" lift duration: 188/190
Valve lift: 0.408/0.414
ICA 110, ECA 105

[shawnxj]

i was just thinking since i already have a lunati cam to have it remachined for the retaining plate but if there's not enough material then oh well.....is there an aftermarket timing set available for the newer style cams?

[SilverXJ]

is there an aftermarket timing set available for the newer style cams?

Only the stock style non adjustable silent link style. You can have a cam gear from a ford 351W (iirc) machined to fit. There is a post here about it.

My whole point wasn't about the stock grind Melling cam, but rather that if you talk to the right cam grinder they can do a grind using the late style cam.

[Retlaw01XJ]

OK, so you're talking about having a used cam reground.
But it appears new cam blanks with the retention plate and wide lobes are being made.... if you can find a source to buy them.

What specs are you considering?

[SilverXJ]

OK, so you're talking about having a used cam reground.

No.

Melling does not grind their own cams. Which means that someone is grinding that can get a cam blank. A cam blank is what the final profile is ground on. The blank usually have the shape of a lobe, but no usable grind. Find the right cam grinder that will get off his ass and look for the proper cam blank and a performance cam with wide lobes and the retaining plate can be had. Not a company like comp, isky, crane, etc.

[kshears]

I am building a 4.6L for my 2002 wrangler and already purchased a lunati stock cam when I found out that comp cams will custom grind a cam w/ lifters for $260.00 I would love to have it but Ive already installed the lunati.

[SilverXJ]

Most cam companies will grind a custom cam. But, not may do the late model retaining plate style(which is what this thread is about) and definitely not comp cams. I owuldn't pay that much for a Comp Cams anyhow.

[kshears]

I guess the guy that I contacted at comp cams is a LIAR then?